De Rosa

Company founder Ugo De Rosa was born on the 27th of January 1934 in Milan, Italy. His education included time at a technical school where he followed a mechanical and engineering curriculum. He developed a passion for bicycle racing as a young boy, a passion which remains with him to this day. It first led him to take up the sport of racing in which he advanced through several ranks at the amateur level. But he also became very interested the science of the bicycle itself, and this proved to be the area where De Rosa would make his mark on the cycling world.

De Rosa's first job was in the work shop of his uncle, for whom he repaired and assembled bicycles. In the early 1950s De Rosa opened his first shop and dedicated himself to the manufacture of racing bicycles. He understood what it took to build a true racing bicycle and his reputation began to spread among the amateur racers in Milan. By 1958 the reputation of De Rosa frames had reached the professional peleton, and while attending a race at the Vigorelli velodrome in Milan De Rosa was approached by a famous cyclist of the day, Raphael Geminiani. He asked De Rosa to build him a bike for the upcoming Giro d'Italia. De Rosa responded immediately to Geminiani's request, for he knew that making this champion's bikes would certify his craftsmanship and launch him into the world of professional cycling.
 

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